Monroe County — Food Safety Records: DBPR & FDACS
Monroe County, Florida has 718 food establishments with 10,924 inspections on record. 7 establishments were shut down this year. The pass rate is 93%, above the state average of 86.2%. Inspections average 7 violations per visit.
Largest fine: $440 assessed to Castaways Restaurant in Marathon on July 22, 2025.
Data from Florida DBPR (restaurants) and FDACS (retail food). Updated April 2026.
Monroe County Restaurants: Comparison to Florida State Averages
Monroe County
93%
Pass Rate
93%
Florida Average
86.2%
Pass Rate
86.2%
Monroe County
7
Avg Violations / Inspection
7
Florida Average
4.7
Avg Violations / Inspection
4.7
Monroe County
0.97
Closures per 100 Facilities
0.97
Florida Average
1.46
Closures per 100 Facilities
1.46
Monroe County Restaurants: Recent Inspections (Last 30 Days)
| Date | Business | City | Violations | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot House Restaurant | Key Largo | 3 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Sharkeys Pub | Key Largo | 17 (4 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Marathon Bagel Company, LLC | Marathon | 1 | Call Back - Complied | |
| Hurricane Lounge and Grille | Marathon | 6 (1 high) | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Starfish Kitchen LLC | Marathon | 9 (1 high) | Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended | |
| Mrs Macs Kitchen | Key Largo | 14 (3 high) | Warning Issued | |
| Gardenia's Bistro | Tavernier | 3 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Italian Food Company | Islamorada | 3 (1 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Marathon Bagel Co LLC @ Islamorada | Islamorada | 4 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action | |
| Three Waters Resort Marina - Main Kitchen/tiki Bar/kokomos | Islamorada | 6 (2 high) | Inspection Completed - No Further Action |
Monroe County Restaurants: Most Common Health Violations
| Code | Violation | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Consumer advisory | 2,864 |
| 08 | Proper hand/arm washing | 2,406 |
| 14 | Food contact surfaces | 2,121 |
| 31 | Clean multi-use utensils | 2,027 |
| 03 | Employee health reporting | 1,857 |
Monroe County Restaurants: Disciplinary Actions & Fines
Largest Fines (Past 12 Months)
| Date | Business | Fine | Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 22, 2025 | Castaways Restaurant | $440 | 1--2025045276 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Banana Cafe | $400 | 1--2025079093 |
| Sep 16, 2025 | Mangoes | $400 | 1--2025056281 |
| Sep 4, 2025 | Ocean Grill | $400 | 1--2025053602 |
| May 29, 2025 | Mahina | $400 | 1--2025013222 |
| Jul 14, 2025 | Geiger Key Fish Camp | $400 | 1--2025043347 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | Grand Cafe Key West | $400 | 1--2025082674 |
| Jan 12, 2026 | Snappers Key Largo/turtle Club | $400 | 1--2025084397 |
| Sep 10, 2025 | Thai Island Restaurant | $400 | 1--2025053285 |
| Nov 3, 2025 | Reef Cafe | $360 | 1--2025045546 |
Monroe County Restaurants: Fire Safety Violations
Most Common Fire Safety Issues
| Issue | Citations |
|---|---|
| Missing boiler certificate/report | 46 |
| Fire extinguisher in red zone | 43 |
| Other fire safety violation | 37 |
| Propane tank stored inside building | 31 |
| Cooking without hood suppression | 18 |
| Exit blocked or locked | 14 |
Monroe County Retail Food: FDACS Inspection Records
In addition to restaurants, Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects grocery stores, markets, gas station food sections, and other retail food establishments. Monroe County has 228 FDACS-regulated facilities with 342 inspections on record and 256 stop-sale orders issued.
Monroe County FDACS: Recent Stop-Sale Orders
A stop-sale order prohibits a retail food establishment from selling specific products found to be unsafe, improperly stored, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code. Products may be embargoed, destroyed, or returned to the distributor.
| Date | Facility | City | Product | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | 500.10(1)(a), 581.217(3)(e), F.S., 893.03(1)(c)190.a., F.S.* Controlled Substanc… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: The product contains a pois… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500.04; FS 500.11 Misbranded.* Labeling Comments: The product contains a pois… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Distribution/Retail Sale and Ad… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Distribution/Retail Sale and Ad… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… | |
| Owens Gas Station | Key West | Brand Name: (Lot #:) | FS 500; FAC 5K-4 Violation of Florida Food Law.* Labeling Comments: To request a… |
Browse all FDACS stop-sale order categories →
Monroe County FDACS: Most Cited Code Violations
Browse all FDACS violation codes →
Monroe County Retail Food Chains (FDACS)
| Chain | Locations | Stop-Sale Orders | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Circle K | 10 | 108 | 1,668 |
| Walgreens | 5 | 1 | 743 |
| CVS | 3 | 9 | 1,009 |
| Dollar Tree | 2 | 9 | 1,110 |
| Starbucks | 2 | 77 | 1,180 |
| Winn-Dixie | 2 | 212 | 797 |
| Shell | 1 | 152 | 1,162 |
| Family Dollar | 1 | 316 | 1,063 |
Monroe County: Notable Restaurants
Ocean Grill
35 inspections
500 violations
2 closures
Snappers Key Largo/turtle Club
25 inspections
276 violations
2 closures
Thai Island Restaurant
25 inspections
247 violations
2 closures
Party Cake Bakery
40 inspections
624 violations
1 closures
Florida Boy Bar & Grill
37 inspections
516 violations
New York Pasta Garden
36 inspections
678 violations
1 closures
Monroe County: Restaurant Chains (DBPR)
| Chain | Locations | Violations | Closures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wendys | 5 | 586 | 1 |
| Subway | 4 | 252 | 0 |
| McDonalds | 3 | 245 | 0 |
| Dominos | 3 | 201 | 2 |
| Fairfield Inn | 3 | 166 | 0 |
| Hampton Inn | 3 | 210 | 0 |
| Dunkin | 3 | 368 | 0 |
| Dennys | 2 | 609 | 0 |
| Starbucks | 2 | 134 | 0 |
| Sushi Sake | 2 | 469 | 1 |
Monroe County Restaurant Inspections: FAQ
- How many restaurants are in Monroe County?
- Monroe County, Florida has 718 food establishments tracked by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- What is the restaurant inspection pass rate in Monroe County?
- The current pass rate for food establishments in Monroe County is 93%. The Florida state average is 86.2%.
- How many restaurants were shut down in Monroe County this year?
- 7 food establishments in Monroe County have been shut down by health inspectors in 2026.
- What are the most common health violations in Monroe County?
- The most frequently cited violations in Monroe County are: Consumer advisory, Proper hand/arm washing, Food contact surfaces.
- Which restaurant chain has the most locations in Monroe County?
- Wendys has the most locations in Monroe County with 5 establishments.
- How does Monroe County compare to the Florida state average?
- Monroe County has a pass rate of 93%, which is 6.8 percentage points above the state average of 86.2%. The average violations per inspection is 7 compared to the state average of 4.67.
- How often are restaurants inspected in Monroe County?
- Food establishments in Monroe County have an average of 15.2 inspections on record. Florida DBPR conducts routine inspections based on facility type and risk level.
- How much in fines have restaurants in Monroe County been assessed?
- Food establishments in Monroe County have been assessed $79,625 in fines across 247 disciplinary actions. The average fine is $326 and the largest single fine was $1,680.
- How many fire safety violations have been found in Monroe County restaurants?
- 189 fire safety violations have been documented across 105 food establishments in Monroe County. The most common issue is missing boiler certificate/report.
- Are grocery stores and retail food stores in Monroe County inspected?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) inspects retail food establishments — grocery stores, gas station food sections, markets, and convenience stores. Monroe County, Florida has 228 FDACS-regulated retail food facilities with 342 inspections on record.
- How many FDACS stop-sale orders have been issued in Monroe County?
- FDACS has issued 256 stop-sale orders at retail food establishments in Monroe County, including 22 in 2026. A stop-sale order prohibits a facility from selling specific products found to be unsafe, mislabeled, or non-compliant with Florida food code.
Monroe County Restaurants & Food Establishments (716)
Kaya Island Eats/key West Emporium
618 DUVAL ST, Key West
28 inspections · 354 violations · Last: Feb 2026First Flight Island Restaurant & Brewery
301 WHITEHEAD ST, Key West
25 inspections · 353 violations · Last: Mar 2026Half Shell Raw Bar
231 MAGARET ST, Key West
34 inspections · 352 violations · Last: Nov 2025Southernmost Beach Cafe
1405 DUVAL ST, Key West
32 inspections · 351 violations · Last: Nov 2025China Garden West Downtown
531 FLEMING ST, Key West
27 inspections · 346 violations · Last: Jan 2026Rams Head Southernmost
804 WHITEHEAD ST, Key West
31 inspections · 345 violations · Last: Mar 2026Castaways Restaurant
1406 OCEAN VIEW AVE, Marathon
30 inspections · 340 violations · Last: Oct 2025Mangrove Mikes Cafe
82200 OVERSEAS HWY, Islamorada
32 inspections · 334 violations · Last: Dec 2025Louie's Backyard
700 WADDELL AVE, Key West
22 inspections · 332 violations · Last: Nov 2025Shipwreck
45 GARDEN COVE DR, Key Largo
25 inspections · 332 violations · Last: Dec 2025Lazy Days South
725 11TH STREET OCEAN, Marathon
29 inspections · 328 violations · Last: Oct 2025Bagatelle Restaurant
115 DUVAL ST #1, Key West
28 inspections · 325 violations · Last: Jul 2025Num Thai Restaurant
103200 OVERSEAS HWY STE 3, Key Largo
26 inspections · 323 violations · Last: Feb 2026Takara Japanese Restaurant
3740 OVERSEAS HWY, Marathon
25 inspections · 322 violations · Last: Dec 2025Whistle Stop
82685 OVERSEAS HWY STE E, Islamorada
29 inspections · 322 violations · Last: Jan 2026Gilbert's Resort
107900 OVERSEAS HWY, Key Largo
29 inspections · 321 violations · Last: Jan 2026El Alamo Key West
4 & 6 CHARLES ST, Key West
30 inspections · 320 violations · Last: Mar 2026No Name Pub
30831 WATSON BLVD, Big Pine Key
33 inspections · 320 violations · Last: Mar 2026Sparky's Landing
13205 OVERSEAS HIGHWAY, Marathon
30 inspections · 319 violations · Last: Dec 2025Boat House Key West
231-A MARGARET ST, Key West
26 inspections · 318 violations · Last: Aug 2025